Total Tank Re-Start after 4 years

Was really concerned that I made a mistake with adding an Orange fin tang with my newly adapted Kole tang. The Orange fin dis-appeared for the whole day, and I thought he might not recover from the initiation.All of the sudden I look up, and there he is on the upper part of the tank. The aggression is still there, but not as fierce. I see a couple of small wounds on the Kole tang, so evidently the new guy has held his own. The rest of them are just swimming by and checking him out. So hopefully this is coming to an end. As far as my new Goby. He was out all day, and as soon as the lights came on, he has now dis-appeared. Hmmmm...hate this!!

 

Interesting read through the thread. As a newbie, I am curious on your thoughts on the general consensus of this forum, and others around the need to take weeks to months to cycle a tanks and weeks to months for new fish in a QT before introduction to the DT.

Looking forward to seeing updated pictures with your new fish additions.

 

Thanks for your questions. As far as the forum, I could not recommend one better than this one. Whether the advise givin here works for you or not, I feel everyone here has your best interest at heart. Probably the nicest group of people I have found, and they all LOVE this hobby. As far as the cycling questions, you have to remember that I am starting this time with NO life on the rocks, therefore the cycle will probably not take as long as it did the first time. The cycle is nothing to play around with. Everybody's cycle can be different. I recommend you fully read about and understand it before adding any livestock. If I had any advise to give you, read all you can and then take the common denominators, and go with your gut. You will make some mistakes, but you will learn from them.

 

Agree on the folks on the forum. I've been reading tons and applying, as you say what my gut tells me. I was just interested in a perspective that seemed different then the consensus.

 

I wasn't sure if you were interested in others' opinions on the cycling and QT but I think the consensus on this forum meaning majority would suggest QTing new fish but it doesn't need to be for weeks to months. Your cycle does not have to take weeks to months either, you can use bacteria starters (many have done so) to speed up the cycle somewhat but you will need to make sure your tank cycles completely - each individual tank may do that at different rates.

 

Updates

Well we have gone from the brown stuff, to the green stuff!!! Totally normal, I remember this from the last time. Tangs are finally getting along well. Ordered a half CUC from John @ reefcleaners, and will order the other half, as soon as the budget allows. It is nice not freaking out about the algea, since I have experienced it the first go around.

 

Tested all parmeters last night, and was extremely happy

Ammonia....0.00
Nitrite.....0.00
Nitrate....0.00
Phosphate (Salifert)......0.00
SG....1.024

Did a 25% water change this morning, and re-set timers to daylight savings time. Added Phosban, and Carbon to my 2 reactors along with a new U.V. bulb. Now we wait!!